Pac-12 basketball power rankings: Arizona thrives, while Oregon falls flat

10. Arizona State (3-6, 1-1)

Last week: Lost to Washington State 29-51, Defeated Oregon 69-67 in overtime
This week:

The temperature on Bobby Hurley’s seat may be too hot even for a Sun Devil after a 3-6 start that saw the team lose a buy-game to UC Riverside and score just 29 points in their Pac-12 tipoff against Washington State. The Sun Devils were lucky to nab a win against struggling Oregon in overtime, but it’s hard to see the season heading in a positive direction.

They look anemic on offense, appearing to be one of the worst shooting teams in the country alongside Washington and Oregon State. Marcus Bagley is again injured and the Sun Devils have no answer in terms of how to replace him. Something that is simply inexcusable considering the talent Hurley and the program has been able to bring in.

9. California (4-5, 1-1)

Last week: Defeated Oregon State 73-61, Lost to Utah 58-66
This week: Idaho State, Santa Clara

Hey, this ain’t so bad! Picked to finish in the cellar with the Huskies and misfiring out of the gate against UC San Diego and UNLV, the Cal Bears actually look to have improved since we last saw them. Mark Fox has improved the defense by quite a bit and the Bears have in turn beaten some of the teams that they should be expected to beat and stayed in contests that some may have thought they wouldn’t have (lost to Seton Hall by only 3 points!). It’s a welcomed improvement for the folks in Berkley and something to help stay positive in another down year.